Adjustable interlock for voting



March s, 1938. I A N GUSTAVSON 2,110,297

ADJUSTABLE INTERLOCK FOR VOTING MACHINES Filed June 15, 1934 306772 07 X71027? ff. gusfm/mozz Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE INTERLOCK FOR VOTING MACHINES Application June 15, 1934, Serial No. 730,792

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines and more particularly to an arrangement by which a comparatively small voting machine may be readily adapted for use in primary elections.

In certain communities election laws require that certain representatives, and particularly representatives of assembly, be nominated at a party primary in a certain manner. The party having the greatest registration, number of votes at the previous elect-ion, or number of voters in the community is entitled to submit for nomination as many or more candidates as there are vacancies in the assembly. The party having a lesser number registered, votes cast, or number of voters in the community, must submit fewer candidates for nomination because of its having fewer voters and being of less representative strength than the larger or major party. Thus, it may occur that there are vacancies for twenty representatives and the first or major party submits twenty-five candidates for nomination for these offices. The next strongest party is entitled to submit fewer candidates for fewer of the offices than the major party because of its lesser representative strength. In a like manner a third and fourth party, so called because of its decreased representation in a community, will be entitled to still fewer candidates for still fewer offices.

Not infrequently the number of voters in these communities is small and the problem is presented as to the size of voting machine to use. It is evident that in certain elections a small machine, perhaps forty columns wide, would suffice, but that in other elections, such as a primary election, a larger machine is needed or some means for adapting a smaller machine for this use.

The present invention makes possible the use of a comparatively small voting machine for primary or special elections wherein, for example, a group of ten vertical ofiice columns serves in place of twenty office columns. Thus a forty column wide machine may handle balloting at an election of this sort that heretofore required a fifty column wide machine. This is accomplished by reducing the main interlocking mechanism and by the provision of an auxiliary interlock and therefore constitutes one of the objects of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in a voting machine for handling a multiparty primary election which is controlled by an external mechanism manipulated by the machine custodian.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the auxiliary interlock to control certain of the voting in several parties at a multi-party primary election.

Other and further objects of the invention may be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and in which,

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevation of the keyboard of a voting machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the auxiliary interlock and its connection with an exterior party indicator;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the party indicator;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 45 of Figure 2 showing the location of the auxiliary interlock with reference to the main interlocking mechanism;

Figure 5 is an end View of the auxiliary interlock showing the means by which it is secured to the main interlock;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the auxiliary interlock, parts being broken away to show the compensating wedge; and

Figure '7 is a rear view of the compensating wedge and supporting plate.

Reference is had to Figure l of the drawing wherein several horizontal rows of indicators of a keyboard are shown. The ten office columns to the right in this view are to be considered, the remaining indicators having no connection with the features of this invention and generally being utilized for further party balloting. Figure 3 shows a first party to be at the top of the list on the party indicator. Whether it be Repubiican or any other party, the top-most party is required to contain the greatest number of candidates for the greatest number of offices of any of the parties. The next parties in their order shown adjacent the party indicator have respectively fewer candidates for fewer offices.

The first party, for purposes of illustration, is assumed to have twenty candidates for election to fifteen offices. Each of the twenty indicators ID, in the horizontal rows of ten, are connected with their respective interlocking straps H shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing. In addition the indicators of the other parties are also connected with their respective strap H in the same main interlock. The lower end of each interlocking strap is formed with a neck i2 which terminates in an enlarged portion l3. Supported in any conventional manner in the voting machine is the main interlocking mechanism which extends the full width of the machine and which comprises a pair of spaced parallel plates l5. Adjacent the upper edge of each of the plates I5, and directed inwardly toward each other, are channels l6. These channels receive the ends I8 of rollers E9. The ends iii of each roller are connected by a reduced portion 20, the roller in its entirety somewhat resembling a dumbbell. Between each pair of rollers l9 there is located the neck 52 of one interlocking strap ii. Manipulation of one of the indicators E on the face of the machine moves the interlocking strap it upwardly causing the enlarged portion i3, which is wider than the reduced sized portion 26 of the roller, to move upwardly between a pair of rollers causing them to move apart a distance equal to the thickness of the portion IS. The structure just described is conventional, being disclosed in Patent #1,03l,l84 to Frank Keiper. Now with twenty-one rollers and twenty interlocking straps, it is evident that by properly proportioning the rollers and straps, it is possible to spread apart 1e rollers if; within a given section of the main interlocking mechanism, a distance only equal to the thickness of fifteen enlarged portions iii of the interlocking straps. In other words, if the total spacing of the rollers is within a given length of the main interlocking mechanism is equal to the thickness of the enlarged portions l3 of fifteen interlocking straps, only fifteen of the twenty interlocking straps can be raised by manipulation of any fifteen of the particular party indicators ill on the face of the machine. It will thus be understood that the normal spacing of the rollers it? within a group of ten office columns of the main interlocking mechanism will permit the raising of fifteen of the twenty interlocking straps ll connected with the twenty indicators iii. It will also he understood that any further decrease in the number of ofiices as compared with the number of candidates may be handled through the use of one or more compensating wedges which are inserted between any pair of rollers i9 and serve to reduce the extent of lateral movement of the rollers thereby preventing still further of the interlocking straps from being actuated. If, for example, a compensating wedge is the equivalent in thickness to one enlarged portion l3 of one of the interlocking straps and the machine is set up to permit the manipulation of any fifteen out of twenty indicators insertion of three compensating wedges will prevent the movement of three additional interlocking straps and thus only twelve of the twenty candidates could be voted for. The method of selectively determining the length of any group of omce columns is had by means of grouping pins 22 which project through suitably lccated openings 23 in the plates l and which each carry a laterally non-movable roller.

As above mentioned, the second party listed, will have fewer condidates, the number of candidates being limited by one of the methods mentioned above and indicative of the party strength. The reason for this is apparent when it is considered that the auxiliary interlock is manipulated by the main interlock and that only fifteen of the twenty interlocking straps of the main interlock are movable due to the set up specified for the first party. The auxiliary interlock is comprised of spaced parallel plates 25 suitably connected by blocks 25. Adjacent the upper edges of the plates 25 and opening inwardly are channels 28 in which are located the enlarged ends 29 of rollers 38, the ends 29 each being connected by a reduced portion 3!. Between each pair of rollers 30 is located the neck 33 of an interlocking strap 34. The upper end of the strap 34 is pivotally joined in any suitable manner to a lug 35 on the main interlocking strap H. strap 3d is formed with an enlarged portion 31. The structure of the auxiliary interlock is substantially identical to the main interlocking mechanism, being provided with a group of rollers 30 and straps B l.

In order to mount the auxiliary interlock upon the main interlock, a lug ll] is provided having an opening ll therethrough. Projecting upwardly through the opening is a threaded shaft 42 which is fitted with a nut :33 that rests upon the upper face of the lug 56. The lower end M of the shaft :52 is slotted to pivotally engage a bar The bar 65 projects through suitable slots in the plates 25 and terminates in a downwardly directed finger it. Between the plates 25 and mounted on the innermost of said plates is a bracket i! which has pivotal connection with the bar '35. Thus when the nut 43 is rotated in one direction the threaded shaft 42 is moved upwardly pivoting the bar 45 on the bracket 41 and causing the finger d6 of said bar to engage the outer plate it; of the main interlocking mechanism. One or more supports 49 are secured to the inner plate 25, being slotted at to receive the lower edge of one of the plates 55. This method of removably securing the auxiliary interlock to the main interlocking mechanism may be varied according to the size of the auxiliary interlock or any other structural requirements.

At one end of the auxiliary interlock, a pair of vertical guideways 52 is provided. Mounted in these guideways is a vertically movable plate 53, to one face of which is attached a compensating wedge 54 in any suitable manner as by a screw 55. The wedge shown in the drawing is provided with two steps 5? and 58 connected by a sloped surface 59. The width of the. wedge 54 is approximately the width of the enlarged portion 37 of the auxiliary interlocking strap 34. Adjacent the lower end of the plate 53 to which the wedge 54 is attached is an opening 6|. Projecting into this opening is one end of a bell crank lever 62 which is mounted on the outer plate I5 of the main interlocking mechanism by means of a pivot pin 63. The short end 64 of the lever is pivotally connected through a link 65 with a further bell crank lever 66 which is also pivotally supported on the outer plate E5 of the main interlocking mechanism. Pivotally joined to the free end of the lever 66 is a bar 53. The upper end of the bar 88 is pivotally joined to a primary lever 69 which is mounted on a shaft supported in the plate it of the machine. On the outer face of the plate is located the party indicator lever l2 which is provided with a pointer 13 registerable with any one of several parties indicated on the card 14. Movement of the indicator lever-l2 from full line position to dotted line position, shown in Figure 3, moves the mechanism connected with the wedge plate 53 causing said plate to be moved upwardly in its guides 52 and carrying with it the compensating wedge 54. As heretofore mentioned the rollers 30 in the auxiliary interlock are laterally movable and since the wedge 54 is in the path of these rollers, upward movement of it causes said rollers to be laterally displaced a distance equal to the depth Beyond the neck 33, the

of the step 58 (see dotted line position, Figure 2). I

displacement of the rollers 30, possibly only three enlarged portions 31 of the auxiliary interlock straps 34 being operable to take up the remaining space between the rollers 30. Under these circumstances with three auxiliary straps movable, members of the fourth party will have a selection of only three out of, perhaps, five or more candidates. Movement of the lever F2 from the fourth to the. third party reciprocates the mechanism connected with the wedge plate allowing said plate to drop to a position where the shallower step 51 serves to laterally displace the rollers 30. It is apparent that considerably more lateral displacement of the rollers 30 by means of the enlarged portions 37 of the straps 34 is now possible than heretofore with the step 58 in position as above described. It is evident that the. third party may have a selection of, perhaps, eight out of twelve candidates since the lateral displacement or; the rollers caused by the step 51, leaves a further possible displacement equal to the thickness of eight interlocking straps 34. Further movement of lever 12 to the second party position removes the wedge entirely from the path of the rollers 36. This increases the possible lateral displacement of the rollers and permits, say, the. movement of ten interlocking straps out of fifteen. Thus the second party is arranged for by the normal functioning of the auxiliary interlock and the first party by the normal functioning of the main interlocking mechanism, the third and fourth parties being arranged for by the wedge plate. The compensating wedge 54 is removable to be replaced by a further wedge having a greater or lesser number of steps, depending on the number of parties represented at the primary election. This information of course is available prior to the election and the voting machine is provided with a wedge which will meet the requirements of the number of parties represented.

From the foregoing it is evident that any requirements for the first party may be handled through the use of proper sized rollers IS with or without compensators and that special ballo ing for the remaining parties is controlled by the auxiliary interlock which may be made, through the use of a compensating wedge, to conform to the requirements of these other parties. It will be understood that applicant has shown only one form of auxiliary interlock and one specific means for laterally displacing the rollers in said interlock to adapt it for different parties but that modifications of this disclosure to meet other voting requirements are contemplated in so far as these modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a voting machine having, a party primary control lever, an auxiliary interlock, indicator actuated means. projectable into said interlock, further means in said interlock operable to control projection of said means into said interlock, and linkage connecting said further means with said party lever, whereby the setting of said lever to a given party sets said interlock for the same party by actuating said further means.

2. In a voting machine having, a party primary control lever, an auxiliary interlock, a plurality of movable rollers having spaces therebetween, in said interlock, a plurality of interlocking straps, a portion of each of said straps being projectable into and occupying the space between two of said rollers, means in said interlock for moving said rollers. a predetermined distance to reduce the space therebetween and prevent a predetermined number of said straps from being actuated, and further means connecting said means with said party lever whereby setting said lever to a given party actuates said means and sets said interlock for the same given party.

3. In a voting machine having, a party control lever, an auxiliary interlock, a plurality of parallel laterally displaceable rollers. in said interlock, said rollers being normally laterally movable to provide spaces in which to receive a plurality of interlocking straps, means operable to close the spaces between some of said rollers and prevent a predetermined number of said straps from being moved and linkage connecting said means with said party lever, whereby said party lever in itself sets up said auxiliary interlock.

4. An auxiliary interlock for a voting machine comprising a plurality of parallel laterally displaceable rollers, said rollers being separated by a plurality of interlocking straps movable to increase the space between pairs of said rollers, a compensating wedge in said interlock, said wedge being operable to move said rollers laterally to reduce the extent of their further lateral spacing whereby to prevent some of said straps from being moved.

5. An auxiliary interlock for a voting machine comprising plates, laterally movable parallel rollers mounted in said plates, said rollers being separated by a plurality of interlocking straps, a compensating wedge in said interlock, steps in said wedge, said wedge being operable to move said rollers a variable lateral distance whereby to reduce the extent of their further lateral displacement and prevent some of said straps from being projected between pairs of said rollers.

6. In a voting machine having a party primary control lever, an auxiliary interlock, a plurality of parallel laterally displaceable rollers in said interlock, said rollers being normally spaced slightly apart by a plurality of interlocking straps,

enlarged portions on said straps movable to increase the space between pairs of said rollers,

a compensating wedge in said interlock, said.

Wedge being operable to move said rollers laterally to reduce the extent of their lateral displacement, and linkage connecting said wedge with said party lever whereby adjustment of said party lever to a given party serves to actuate said Wedge and set said interlock for the same given party by limiting the number of enlarged portions of said straps that may be projected into said interlock.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON. 

